Yahiko didn't really care for Obito's riddler-like manner, but when he thought of the existence called White Zetsu that Leader Madara had once brought back, thought of the several special abilities White Zetsu possessed, then he felt it was not strange no matter what kind of information Obito obtained.
He decided to clear his mind and go along with Obito's idea, so he said, "Do as you see fit. If there's any place you need our help, then discuss it with us."
Obito made an "OK" gesture, then, as if he sensed something, he immediately crawled out of the hot spring. With a "bang" sound, he transformed into his Tobi appearance, put on the swirl-patterned mask, wore Akatsuki's uniform, and became Tobi.
Yahiko was stunned, "What trick are you pulling again?"
Tobi said, "Makoto has returned from gathering information. He seems to have picked up some very serious intel and looks rather anxious."
Yahiko looked at the others and asked, "What about you guys… did you sense it too?"
Other than Yahiko, everyone present was at least at the Kage level of skill, their sensory ability was by no means weak. What's more, this was about a civilian who wasn't concealing his presence at all and had even been marked with all sorts of tracking techniques by them.
So, everyone nodded almost simultaneously.
Yahiko suddenly felt a deep unease toward his own sensory ability. No, toward his own strength. Among the Akatsuki core, he, the founder, seemed to be the weakest. Now even Konan was stronger than him.
Although he had always known this, at this moment, the contrast was simply too stark.
Tobi noticed Yahiko's anxiety, and couldn't help but say, "No matter how strong power is, it still needs thought to guide it. You represent Akatsuki's ideology. That is irreplaceable. As for strength, you don't need to cling to it too much."
Even though Tobi said this, Yahiko still couldn't help asking, "Is there a way to quickly raise my strength?"
Tobi thought for a while and said, "Sure. In some time, once Orochimaru's research has made progress, naturally there will be a way."
"For now, you could first go ask your girlfriend for a few hundred billion explosive tags to carry with you. I guarantee, in the entire shinobi world, not many people would dare mess with you."
Before Yahiko could say anything, Kakuzu couldn't resist poking his head out, "Not allowed. Yahiko will be protected by me personally!"
Yahiko's mouth twitched, "Obi-Tobi, do you realize how many a few hundred billion explosive tags are? Konan has told me about this idea before. At the very least, it would take up an entire ocean to fit them all."
Tobi spread his hands, "That I can't do anything about. But didn't Kakuzu say he'll protect you? With him around, you won't be in much danger… Also, someone's coming."
Tobi began a countdown, "Three… two… one!"
At the exact instant the final "one" left his mouth, Makoto rushed in, panting heavily.
He looked at most of the group still soaking in the hot spring and Tobi, who had already changed clothes.
"Not good, honored shinobi! It seems your whereabouts have been exposed. Right now, large groups of Mist shinobi are searching everywhere throughout the Land of Water!"
The Akatsuki members were all taken aback.
Sasori said, "Impossible. When we landed on the Water Country's coast, it was only you there. That much is certain."
"As for afterward, Tobi used a large-scale genjutsu to mask our presence. At his level, the odds of it being seen through are very small."
Makoto froze. It wasn't that he didn't trust these shinobi lords, but then who exactly were all those Mist shinobi scouring the streets for?
At this moment, Nagato said, "I also think it unlikely. Perhaps besides us, other shinobi slipped in too."
Kakuzu couldn't help but grin, "Causing such a huge commotion, that ninja's strength must be considerable. Kirigakure will surely post an extremely high bounty. Why don't we just complete the mission first?"
Everyone went speechless. Just how deep was Kakuzu's obsession with bounties? Even if they did it, what identity would they use to collect it, what, pretend to be Mist shinobi?
Only Tobi's eyes behind the mask gleamed faintly. He murmured in his heart, 'Kakashi has come too? Still so careless, exposed this quickly?'
He suddenly wondered if he should go find Kakashi, to add an extra safeguard.
'But… is that really a good idea?'
He suddenly looked at Makoto and asked, "Kid, do you want to stay under our protection?"
Makoto showed an embarrassed expression, "My lord, do you want to hear the truth?"
Tobi said, "Of course."
Makoto admitted honestly, "I do. Because maybe I myself fear nothing, but Hanami, I can't guarantee her safety. So in my heart, I selfishly hope you great shinobi lords can stay by our side."
Yahiko laughed, "Thinking for the woman you love, and speaking so honestly, that's not a bad thought at all."
Tobi continued, "Then, what if Hanami doesn't need your protection?"
This time Makoto answered firmly, "Then of course I'd want to go out and carve my own path. I'm a man who will conquer the seas! If I run to others for protection every time I hit a little storm, what kind of man would that make me?"
"Shinobi lords, you know it too, if not for Hanami, right now I'd probably already be figuring out a way to get to the other side of the ocean. Although the present situation might be safer, it isn't what I desire."
Tobi nodded. Even a civilian boy had this resolve. If Kakashi didn't, then he really was worse than trash.
After all, Kakashi was still single, had no Hanami of his own, no need to accommodate or protect anyone.
So best not to interfere. Let Kakashi forge ahead himself. If he died quietly, then it would just mean Kakashi wasn't up to the task. If he stirred up something huge, Tobi would naturally sense it and teleport over at any time.
By now, Makoto was already looking at Tobi with slight worry, "Shinobi lord, could it be that Hanami and I have already brought trouble to you? If so, I can take her away…"
Tobi shook his head, suddenly walked over to Makoto's side, hooked an arm around his shoulder, and said, "Not at all. By the way, brat, last night you two shared a room, did anything happen?"
"I'm telling you, if nothing happened, if you can't even conquer a woman, how can you talk about conquering the seas? As your senior, I'd look down on you."
Makoto's face instantly flushed red, his eyes darted evasively, and he stammered, "We… we just hugged and slept through the night, does that count?"
Tobi immediately dropped to his knees, clutching his head, "Wow, you're amazing! Alone in a room with a girl, and you only hugged her the whole night?"
"Shameful, way too shameful. From now on, don't you ever say you're a student taught by Tobi."
Makoto suddenly felt a bit humiliated, but at the same time a little defiant, "Then what about you, senior? Do you have a girlfriend? You're so powerful now, don't tell me you don't even have a girlfriend?"
"I at least had the courage to confess to Hanami. Don't tell me you don't even dare confess to the girl you like? After all, you always hide your face behind that mask, I bet you're exactly that type of guy."
Tobi was just about to say he had a girlfriend, and they were very loving, and he had even acknowledged his girlfriend's parents as his own mom and dad.
But when he heard that last line, he suddenly recalled something utterly embarrassing.
Flustered, he blurted, "Don't say it, don't say it. I've got urgent business. You guys play."
With that, Tobi bolted like a flash of lightning, vanishing in the blink of an eye.
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